Halloween Parties in New York and Beyond

“It’s all about transformation,” Michael Kors observed from behind his convincing mariachi guise, as he surveyed the crowd of costumed revelers winding their way into the Waldorf-Astoria’s grand ballroom for the start of Bette Midler’s 16th Annual Hulaween Gala. “We’re looking for the ridiculous.” The mustachioed Kors, who cut a sharp figure in a black bolero jacket, embroidered sombrero, and a blood-red jabot, could just as well have been describing the Waldorf itself: Every corner of the ballroom played up the delightfully improbable Día de los Muertos–meets–Hawaii theme, from the nearly ten-foot-tall skeletons standing onstage beside a real mariachi band to the trio of beauties dancing the hula in the lobby.

Though Kors, who would later be judging the evening’s costume contest, admitted that it was still too early to distill any overarching trends from the morass of Marie Antoinettes, superheroes, plumed performers, and even a Santa Claus, the evening’s focus on eco-conscious cadaver chic soon became apparent. Elettra Wiedemann spooked up closet staples (why create waste by buying a costume for only one night?) like a Topshop blouse and strands of family heirlooms with makeup: stitched-up lips and haunting plum-colored eye sockets. “It’s definitely a fun event, but what I really admire is Bette’s work with her foundation,” Wiedemann said, alluding to Midler’s New York Restoration Project, a nonprofit committed to greening New York. The organization would receive a reported $1.9 million in proceeds from the evening’s ticket sales and auction.

The ballroom erupted in a standing ovation the moment Stevie Wonder took the stage, opening with the classic “How Sweet It Is (to Be Loved by You).” Narciso Rodriguez and his guest, both in austere custom black coats and fox masks by London-based leather specialists Fleet Ilya (“We’re foxy singles,” Rodriguez smirked), swayed to Wonder’s seemingly endless set while a stunning Jane Krakowski snapped pictures. “I came right from filming,” she said, adjusting her bowler hat and fitted blazer. “I had 30 minutes to pull this together!” As if on cue, Kors came over and gave her a peck on the cheek: approval sealed with a kiss.

After cocktail and dinner parties all across the city, late-night revelers made their merry way to the Top of the Standard Hotel for a debaucherous “Saints or Sinners” soiree hosted by André Balazs, Thomas Hayo, Nick Rhodes, and André Saraiva, where guests—including Olympia Scarry, Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis,Dree Hemingway, and Marc Jacobs—indulged in cocktails and white cotton candy.

And in Milan, even the Italians got into the Halloween spirit with a private costume party hosted by stylist Miguel Arnau and photographer Giampaolo Sguru, titled “Hallowood.” This year’s event, in a secluded warehouse space guarded by handsome leather-clad centurions, paid homage to mythology. “I’m a modern-day Apollo,” joked Francesco Scognamiglio, his face adorned with gold glitter, and wearing sculptural wings over a natty black suit. “I’m from Pompeii, so I wanted to dress as someone from my hometown.” Bag designer Sara Battaglia, whose sister Giovanna was celebrating Halloween in New York, showcased plastic snake-like tendrils completing a rock-’n’-roll Medusa look that she revealed took seven hours to create while posing for photographs with her friend Stefano Gabbana, who was dressed to resemble the Trojan hero Ajax. Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi arrived in winged helmets and white molded breastplates. “Tommaso made them in the living room,” Rimondi said. Displaying classical manners, the party hosts (dressed in breathtaking Byzantine costumes embellished with individually applied mosaics) greeted each guest upon arrival, including Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci, who made a late low-key entrance under the cover of darkness like a primordial god, in head-to-toe black, naturally.